One Man's Escape

The following is my eyewitness account of the events of September 11, 2001 from the 73rd floor of 2 WTC, better known as the South Tower.

I arrived in my office at 8:35 AM and turned on my workstation. Within 10 minutes, at about 8:45 AM the lights flickered and we thought, "What was that?" Looking out the window, facing North, I could see smoke, debris and falling papers.

One of my colleagues yelled from across the room, "Go! Go! Get out!!" Many of us got up and quickly walked toward the fire exits. The stairs seemed like the only escape. I never did check the elevators.

We grabbed nothing, no computers, no palm pilots, nothing. All personal items were left behind and there was no turning back. We walked down about 15 floors to floor 58 when a fire marshal came over the intercom and said the problem is in 1 WTC, the North Tower. "An airplane has run into its side, but our tower was completely secure. Don't worry, " he added, almost sounding like he was suggesting that we should go back upstairs and resume work.

I saw a woman falling or jumping out of one of the higher floors.

Elevators were operating again. It's about 8:55 am and I continued to make my way down a few more flights to the 53rd floor. I moved away from the stairs and down a corridor as people were reassured by the fire marshal's comments. Some people made their way into elevators, some people turned around and went back upstairs, but I made a conscious decision not to go into any elevator.

My curiosity did get the better of me as I moved toward one of the North windows. I looked up at the burning North Tower seeing the fire, the smoke, the debris, the papers flying. I saw a woman falling or jumping out of one of the higher floors. "Oh My God! Oh My God!" people around me began to scream.

There were several phones in the office I was standing in, and people started to call loved ones. I picked one up and dialed my wife. The answering machine picked up and I said, "There is a problem in the 1 WTC, I'm sure you'll hear. I'm in 2 WTC and am perfectly fine. I'm making my way down." I then called my father and mother and gave them similar accounts and hung up.

Within 10 seconds of my call, my father watched the second plane hit the South tower. He believed it was all over.

My father thought I was still on the 73rd floor, and within 10 seconds of my call watched the second plane hit the South tower. He believed it was all over at that instant. I felt the impact of the explosion that I believed was at my feet. I heard the crashing glass around me as the building rocked. My hands began to shake and my knees buckled. I knew I could not stay where I was and I had to go lower. I made my way to the stairs, passing people along the way. I saw the horror and the fear in several faces as I went by them. I still believed the impact was at my feet and as I descended past floor 50 and floor 40 I was sure I was going to see disaster.

By the time I made it down 53 more floors I was sweaty and in shock. I came face-to-face with several firefighters and policemen who I believe were unable to make their way back through the wreckage. There was plenty of debris scattered across the concourse and the security guards were attempting to keep people away from any windows. The fate of all these building employees ran through my mind.

We were then guided through the concourse and asked to keep moving quickly. Down several escalators and up one more by foot we ended up on Church Street. I heard shouts, "Keep moving!" and I made my way up to Broadway, passing bloodied shoes and fallen glass. As I turned and looked up, I saw both burning towers. I was horrified and looked on in disbelief. I hung around awhile longer, hoping to see any friends and colleagues. I saw nobody I knew.

It's about 9:50am now, and in less than an hour I was down from the 73rd floor of the building. I saw several video cameras, people crying, asking questions with few answers at this point. As I moved north toward City Hall I watched in disbelief as the South Tower tumbled to the ground. This was the same building I heard a fire marshal say was completely secure less than an hour ago. As the tower came tumbling down, the debris and smoke came billowing down the street and I found myself charging up Center Street.

I slowed down my pace once I knew the smoke was well behind me. I stopped to call my wife at a payphone with seven people in front of me. When it finally came my turn all I got was a busy signal. By the time I reached Houston Street the North Tower was collapsing. This was inevitable after watching the first one crumble.

By the time I reached 14th street I stopped to hear a news report over the radio. It was the first news I had heard. As I listened for less than two minutes, my eyes began to swell and I began to realize how my life had been spared. I kept my walk going northbound towards the Upper West Side where I live. I stopped several people on the street with cell phones to make my phone call home, but no calls would go through. One gentleman asked me my name and said he would continue to hit redial until he got through to my home.

It wasn't until I reached 28th street that I found a pay phone line short enough to wait on and call home again. This time my wife, Debra shrieked as she heard my voice, "Oh my God, Jack! I can't believe you're alive! We all thought you were dead. Don't stop for anything -- don't talk to anybody. Just keep walking home!"

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Visitor Comments: 19

(19)
anonymous in NYC,
September 11, 2011 3:37 AM

Thanksgiving......

your 10th thanksgiving anniversary is here. for you it's not necessarily on november. i thank God daily for his miracles big and small (in actualily they're all big). may you find peace of mind and many fulfilling days ahead.

(18)
Debra,
July 23, 2008 8:53 PM

to all of you who wrote to my husband

It's nearly the 7th Anniversary of this horrific day in our lives and I never before saw these comments. I am so moved and I thank you all on behalf of Jack and me and all of our family for such loving and kind words. May we never forget! Debra Alvo

(17)
Anonymous,
September 18, 2002 12:00 AM

G-d Bless you. Anonymous; 18/9/02.

i want to thank-you for sharing your pain and what you, and your family endured. May G-d bless you abundantly, and forever keep you in His care.

(16)
Anonymous,
September 10, 2002 12:00 AM

Miracle - One Year Later

It is the day before the annivesary, and i have to tell you that you must be an amazing person, that must have done so many good deeds to have had your life saved. Thank you for telling me your story.

(15)
Duck,
September 4, 2002 12:00 AM

Wow

God Bless America

(14)
Jim Santagata,
February 28, 2002 12:00 AM

Six Months Later

I'm still reading these comments six months later, still in disbelief. No-one in the US should forget what you and those tens of thousands went through that day. NO-ONE should ever forget!

(13)
Jesse Lowenstein,
December 3, 2001 12:00 AM

God Blessed ur soul

Thank god ur ok!!! Thank u for putting this story online for us to read. It is important for us to not forget. Ur smart for leaving...

(12)
Anne,
October 24, 2001 12:00 AM

Guardian angel

You had a guardian angel with you! glad you are ok!!!

(11)
kathy peterson,
September 17, 2001 12:00 AM

God bless you Jack!

Dear Jack,
Thank you for putting your story on line. I am so sorry you experienced this horrible event. This experience has changed you forever. You will never be the same. Cling to God, your wife, your family. God bless you. You have fallen into God's relentless mercy. Bess you,
kathy

(10)
Jorge Frid,
September 17, 2001 12:00 AM

Some times you just have to do what you think, no matter what are you hearing and G-d blessed you to hear Him and go out of the building.

Live your life as plenty as you can, you are in the Eyes of G-d.

(9)
,
September 17, 2001 12:00 AM

Thank G-d you made it out alive. Keep telling your story.

(8)
Lana Robertson,
September 16, 2001 12:00 AM

I thank G-d you are alive, too! How amazing this all is. Now, cherish your life and loved ones and live your life to its fullest!!

(7)
,
September 16, 2001 12:00 AM

In one moment

Thank G-D you made it out!
It is import to remenber now by Rosh Hashana that one moment everything seems fine and the next the world can crumble! May we all be spared from such terible news.

(6)
Nan Lowitt,
September 16, 2001 12:00 AM

Thank you

Thank you for being alive, I live in Fl. and my husband & family used to work in the city and I have family who still do. I thank God there are those like you who made it out alive and wrote about it in Aish. Have a L'Shanah Tovah and light a candle for those who didnt make it.

(5)
Denise Tredway,
September 16, 2001 12:00 AM

thank God

Dear Mr. Alvo,
I thank God also that you are still alive. Although I greive for the fallen and their families, I am amazed that not more perished. A true miracle from Him.

(4)
Marc Dickerman,
September 13, 2001 12:00 AM

I thank G-d you are alive too Jack!

Just a month ago we were having a great time at the FHHS Reunion. As soon as I heard about the collapse, I immediately thought of you, Kenny M (no word yet?) and a couple of other friends I have in both buildings. Our prayers are with your co workers and friends who are yet to be heard from.

HUGZ

Marc

(3)
Ross Meyerson,
September 13, 2001 12:00 AM

Jack!I'm glad you are alive!

I am a friend of Jack's from high school and his college roommate! Jack we are so glad that you are alive!!!! I held your business card in my hand until I finally found out you were ok. I look forward to seeing you again!!!My thoughts are with you still.

(2)
Yolanda Pere,
September 13, 2001 12:00 AM

Bless you both

Yoxmar and I are truly happy for you guys. Please take care and we love you.

(1)
Barbara Oliver,
September 13, 2001 12:00 AM

God Bless our America and all it's wonderful people

We will be a stronger nation after what happened on 9/11/01, we are united and best of all God is on our side. We have the best president and leader we could ever ask for. We will over come this tragedy - but we will never forget. My prayers are with all those that have lost love ones.

I live in rural Montana where the Cholov Yisrael milk is difficult to obtain and very expensive. So I drink regular milk. What is your view on this?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Jewish law requires that there be rabbinic supervision during the milking process to ensure that the milk comes from a kosher animal. In the United States, many people rely on the Department of Agriculture's regulations and controls as sufficiently stringent to fulfill the rabbinic requirement for supervision.

Most of the major Kashrut organizations in the United States rely on this as well. You will therefore find many kosher products in America certified with a 'D' next to the kosher symbol. Such products – unless otherwise specified on the label – are not Cholov Yisrael and are assumed kosher based on the DOA's guarantee.

There are many, however, do not rely on this, and will eat only dairy products that are designated as Cholov Yisrael (literally, "Jewish milk"). This is particularly true in large Jewish communities, where Cholov Yisrael is widely available.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein wrote that under limited conditions, such as an institution which consumes a lot of milk and Cholov Yisrael is generally unavailable or especially expensive, American milk is acceptable, as the government supervision is adequate to prevent non-kosher ingredients from being added.

It should be added that the above only applies to milk itself, which is marketed as pure cow's milk. All other dairy products, such as cheeses and butter, may contain non-kosher ingredients and always require kosher certification. In addition, Rabbi Feinstein's ruling applies only in the United States, where government regulations are considered reliable. In other parts of the world, including Europe, Cholov Yisrael is a requirement.

There are additional esoteric reasons for being stringent regarding Cholov Yisrael, and because of this it is generally advisable to consume only Cholov Yisroel dairy foods.

In 1889, 800 Jews arrived in Buenos Aires, marking the birth of the modern Jewish community in Argentina. These immigrants were fleeing poverty and pogroms in Russia, and moved to Argentina because of its open door policy of immigration. By 1920, more than 150,000 Jews were living in Argentina. Juan Peron's rise to power in 1946 was an ominous sign, as he was a Nazi sympathizer with fascist leanings. Peron halted Jewish immigration to Argentina, introduced mandatory Catholic religious instruction in public schools, and allowed Argentina to become a haven for fleeing Nazis. (In 1960, Israeli agents abducted Adolf Eichmann from a Buenos Aires suburb.) Today, Argentina has the largest Jewish community in Latin America with 250,000, though terror attacks have prompted many young people to emigrate. In 1992, the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 32 people. In 1994, the Jewish community headquarters in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 85 people. The perpetrators have never been apprehended.

Be aware of what situations and behaviors give you pleasure. When you feel excessively sad and cannot change your attitude, make a conscious effort to take some action that might alleviate your sadness.

If you anticipate feeling sad, prepare a list of things that might make you feel better. It could be talking to a specific enthusiastic individual, running, taking a walk in a quiet area, looking at pictures of family, listening to music, or reading inspiring words.

While our attitude is a major factor in sadness, lack of positive external situations and events play an important role in how we feel.

[If a criminal has been executed by hanging] his body may not remain suspended overnight ... because it is an insult to God (Deuteronomy 21:23).

Rashi explains that since man was created in the image of God, anything that disparages man is disparaging God as well.

Chilul Hashem, bringing disgrace to the Divine Name, is one of the greatest sins in the Torah. The opposite of chilul Hashem is kiddush Hashem, sanctifying the Divine Name. While this topic has several dimensions to it, there is a living kiddush Hashem which occurs when a Jew behaves in a manner that merits the respect and admiration of other people, who thereby respect the Torah of Israel.

What is chilul Hashem? One Talmudic author stated, "It is when I buy meat from the butcher and delay paying him" (Yoma 86a). To cause someone to say that a Torah scholar is anything less than scrupulous in meeting his obligations is to cause people to lose respect for the Torah.

Suppose someone offers us a business deal of questionable legality. Is the personal gain worth the possible dishonor that we bring not only upon ourselves, but on our nation? If our personal reputation is ours to handle in whatever way we please, shouldn't we handle the reputation of our nation and the God we represent with maximum care?

Jews have given so much, even their lives, for kiddush Hashem. Can we not forego a few dollars to avoid chilul Hashem?

Today I shall...

be scrupulous in all my transactions and relationships to avoid the possibility of bringing dishonor to my God and people.

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